Games Where You Walk Around & Chat (Social Worlds)

If you want avatar embodiment + proximity voice/text chat + exploration, here are the best categories:

Virtual Worlds / Social MMOs (Persistent)

• VRChat (PC/Quest/PSVR2): #1 for custom avatars, worlds, events. Full-body tracking. Free. Desktop mode works (no VR needed).
• Rec Room (Cross-play: PC/Console/Mobile/Quest): Game creation tools, paintball, charades, clubs. Younger skew.
• Neos VR / Resonite (Successor to Neos): Engine-in-engine. Build worlds inside VR. Steep learning curve.
• ChilloutVR: Similar, growing.
• Second Life (PC): 2003 economy, user content, adult-heavy. Still 50k concurrent.
• IMVU (PC/Mobile): 2.5D chat rooms, heavy microtransactions.

Game-Centric Social (Session-Based)

• Among Us (Cross-play): Social deduction. Walk, tasks, emergency meetings (chat).
• Fall Guys (Cross-play): Battle royale minigames. Emotes = communication.
• Sea of Thieves (PC/Xbox/PS5): Pirate crew, proximity voice, emergent stories.
• Deep Rock Galactic (PC/Console): 4-player co-op mining. "Rock and Stone!" voice lines.
• Phasmophobia (PC/PS5/Xbox): Ghost hunting. Voice recognition (ghost hears you).

Creative / Building + Chat

• Minecraft (Realms/Servers): Join Hypixel, Mineplex, 2b2t or private SMP. Voice via Discord mod.
• Roblox (Cross-play): Millions of user experiences. Chat filter strict.
• Terraria (Cross-play): 2D sandbox co-op. Build bases together.
• Core Games / Fortnite Creative: Build games, play with friends.

Real World (IRL)

• Geocaching: GPS treasure hunt. Meet cachers at events.
• LARP (Live Action Roleplay): Boffer/Parlor. Walk, talk, fight foam swords.
• Escape Rooms / Scavenger Hunts: Team chat + movement.
• Parkour / Free Running Jams: Move through city, session spots.

Start with VRChat (Desktop Mode) or Rec Room. Free, no VR required, massive variety.